Architecture & Art Library Blog

Mark Rothko: The Houston Connection, at talk by Chelby King, to be held at Rothko Chapel on Tuesday, May 6th at 7 p.m.

How did John and Dominique de Menil come to commission Mark Rothko to create his masterpiece, the Rothko Chapel, in Houston? Art historian Chelby King discusses Houston art professor Jermayne McAgy’s influence on the de Menil’s commission and her connection to Rothko. Chelby King was awarded a M.A. in art history from the University of Houston in May 2013 following a fifteen-year career in arts management. Her organizational work has focused on advancing opportunities for contemporary artists including positions as the director of Lawndale Arts Center and the director of the City of Houston’s civic art program at Houston Arts Alliance. With a fellowship from the University of Houston she completed her thesis on the institutional practices of Jermayne MacAgy. Chelby teaches college classes on art history and is a librarian at the University of Houston Architecture and Art Library. A reception on the plaza follows the program.